GH2014 SCI003 CRC FIN508
SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES
MANAGEMENT PROJECT (SFMP)
Baseline Study Of The Demersal
Fisheries In The Western Region
(Pra And Ankobra)
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This publication is available electronically on the Coastal Resources Center’s website at http://www.crc.uri.edu/projects_page/ghanasfmp/
For more information on the Ghana Sustainable Fisheries Management Project, contact: USAID/Ghana Sustainable Fisheries Management Project
Coastal Resources Center
Graduate School of Oceanography University of Rhode Island
220 South Ferry Rd.
Narragansett, RI 02882 USA
Tel: 401-874-6224 Fax: 401-874-6920 Email: [email protected]
Citation: Fynn-Korsah S., Effah E., Lazar N. (2015). Baseline study of the demersal fisheries in the Western Region (Pra and Ankobra). USAID/Ghana Sustainable Fisheries Management Project (SFMP). Narragansett, RI: Coastal Resources Center, Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island. GH2014_SCI003_CRC 25 pp.
Authority/Disclaimer:
Prepared for USAID/Ghana under Cooperative Agreement (AID-641-A-15-00001), awarded on October 22, 2014 to the University of Rhode Island, and entitled the USAID/Ghana Sustainable Fisheries Management Project (SFMP).
This document is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The views expressed and opinions contained in this report are those of the SFMP team and are not intended as statements of policy of either USAID or the cooperating organizations. As such, the contents of this report are the sole responsibility of the SFMP team and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
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Detailed Partner Contact Information:
USAID/Ghana Sustainable Fisheries Management Project (SFMP) 10 Obodai St., Mempeasem, East Legon, Accra, Ghana
Telephone: +233 0302 542497 Fax: +233 0302 542498 Maurice Knight Chief of Party [email protected]
Kofi Agbogah Senior Fisheries Advisor [email protected] Nii Odenkey Abbey Communications Officer [email protected]
Bakari Nyari Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist [email protected] Brian Crawford Project Manager, CRC [email protected]
Justice Odoi USAID Administrative Officer Representative [email protected] Kofi.Agbogah
[email protected] Stephen Kankam
[email protected] Hen Mpoano
38 J. Cross Cole St. Windy Ridge Takoradi, Ghana
233 312 020 701 Andre de Jager
SNV Netherlands Development Organisation #161, 10 Maseru Road,
E. Legon, Accra, Ghana 233 30 701 2440 Donkris Mevuta Kyei Yamoah [email protected] Friends of the Nation Parks and Gardens Adiembra-Sekondi, Ghana 233 312 046 180
Peter Owusu Donkor Spatial Solutions
[email protected] #3 Third Nautical Close,
Nungua, Accra, Ghana 233 020 463 4488
Thomas Buck
[email protected] SSG Advisors
182 Main Street
Burlington, VT 05401 (802) 735-1162
Victoria C. Koomson [email protected] CEWEFIA
B342 Bronyibima Estate Elmina, Ghana
233 024 427 8377 Lydia Sasu
Darkuman Junction, Kaneshie Odokor Highway
Accra, Ghana 233 302 315894 Gifty Asmah
[email protected] Daasgift Quality Foundation
Headmaster residence, Sekondi College Sekondi, Western Region, Ghana 233 243 326 178
For additional information on partner activities:
CRC/URI: http://www.crc.uri.edu CEWEFIA: http://cewefia.weebly.com/
DAA: http://womenthrive.org/development-action-association-daa Daasgift:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Daasgift-Quality-Foundation-FNGO/135372649846101 Friends of the Nation: http://www.fonghana.org Hen Mpoano: http://www.henmpoano.org
SNV: http://www.snvworld.org/en/countries/ghana SSG Advisors: http://ssg-advisors.com/
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ACRONYMS
CCM Centre for Coastal Management
CEWEFIA Central and Western Region Fishmongers Improvement Association CRC Coastal Resource Center
CSLP Coastal Sustainable Landscape Project DAA Development Action Association
DFAS Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Science DMFS Department of Marine Fisheries Sciences DQF Daasgift Quality Foundation
FtF Feed the Future
GIFA Ghana Inshore Fishermen's Association GIS Geographic Information System
GNCFC Ghana National Canoe Fishermen’s Council
HM Hen Mpoano
ICFG Integrated Coastal and Fisheries Governance MESTI Ministry of Environment Science and Technology MOFAD Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development NDPC National Development Planning Commission
NGOs Non-Governmental Organizations
SFMP Sustainable Fisheries Management Project SMEs Small and Medium Enterprises
SNV Netherlands Development Organization
SSG SSG Advisors
STWG Scientific and Technical Working Group UCC University of Cape Coast
URI University of Rhode Island
USAID United States Agency for International Development WARFP West Africa Regional Fisheries Development Program
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTENTS
ACRONYMS ... iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS ... iv
LIST OF FIGURES ... v
LIST OF TABLES ... v
SUMMARY ... 1
INTRODUCTION ... 1
METHODOLOGY ... 2
2.1- Surveys ... 2
2.2 Species Selected ... 4
2.3 Biological Data Collection ... 6
2.4 Training of Fishermen and Fish Processors ... 6
3. Results ... 7
3.1 Total Length-Standard Length Relationship ... 8
3.2 Fork Length-Standard Length Relationships ... 10
3.3 Fork Length-Total Length Relationships ... 11
3.4 Length-Weight Relationship ... 12
3.5 Frequency Distribution Graph for Species by Gear ... 14
3.6 Otoliths and Scales ... 19
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Stakeholders and fisher folks meeting to identify the major demersal species and to
use their knowledge to map fishing areas and spawning grounds. ... 3
Figure 2 Cassava Fish ... 4
Figure 3 Burrito... 4
Figure 4 Threadfin ... 5
Figure 5 Congo Dentex ... 5
Figure 6 Data collection on fish species on field ... 6
Figure 7 Fishermen being training during sampling ... 7
Figure 8 Total lenth-Standard length relationship for B. auritus ... 8
Figure 9 Total length-Standard length relationship for P. quinquarius ... 8
Figure 10 Total length-Standard length relationship for Pseudotolithus senegalensis... 9
Figure 11 Total length-Standard length relationship for Galeoidis decadactylus ... 9
Figure 12 Fork length-Standard length relationship for Pentanemus quinquarius... 10
Figure 13 Fork length-Standard length relationship galeoides decdactylus ... 10
Figure 14 Fork length-Total length relationship for Pentanemus quinquarius ... 11
Figure 15 Fork length-Total length relationship for Galeoides decdactylus ... 11
Figure 16 Length-Weight Relationship for Galeoides Decadactylus ... 12
Figure 17 Length-Weight relationship for Pseudotolithus senegalensis ... 12
Figure 18 Length-Weight relationship for Pentanemus quinquarius ... 13
Figure 19 Length-Weight relationship for Brachydeuterus auritus ... 13
Figure 20 Length-frequency distribution of P. quinquarius (beach seine fishery)... 15
Figure 21 Length-frequency distribution of Galeoides decdactylus (Trawl net fishery) ... 16
Figure 22 Length-Frequency distribution of Galeoides decadactylus (beach seine net fishery) ... 17
Figure 23 Length-frequency distribution of Pseudotolithus Senegalensis ... 18
Figure 24 Length-frequency distribution of Pseudotolithus senegalensis (beach seine fishery) ... 19
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1 Sampling Dates and Species ... 8(7)
SUMMARY
The purpose of the study is to establish a baseline fisheries assessment on key demersal species in the Western Region. In addition, a pilot project on cooperative research with fishermen and other stakeholders was initiated involving 12 fishermen. The research begun in March, 2015 with a scooping survey, followed up with consultations and interactions with the key stakeholders of the fisheries to identify landing sites and sampling opportunities. Four species were identified based on biological and economic importance within the demersal fish complex of the Western Region. (Galeoides decadactylus, Brachydeuterus auritus, Pseudotolithus senegalensis and Pentanemus quinquarius). Due to low occurrence in the landings of Pentanemus quinquarius, a new species (Pagellus bellottii) was added. Subsequently, monthly trips were conducted to collect a representative sample based on random sampling from various fishing gears at the landing sites between the Pra and Ankobra estuaries. Length, weight, sexual maturity, scale and otoliths were systematically measured and recorded. A total of 1,988 individuals were measured between April to September, 2015. This is a partial data of 2015 and does not constitute a large enough samples to analyze and draw conclusion on growth, mortality and spawning seasons.
The study also involved training fishermen and women processors on simple techniques on how to identify the species and collect basic biological information of these selected species. A total of 12 stakeholders participated with different level of commitments to the cooperative research initiative. A series of interactions and interviews with canoe fishermen and trawl operators to identify demersal gear inventory and characteristics. An additional seven months of sampling will continue following the same design and protocols before a stock
assessments on these resources is done. Focus will also be on the social, economic significance and cultural related issues of the fisheries.
Overall demersal resources are primarily targeted by semi-industrial trawlers and few industrial vessels. Some catches occur at the mouth of the two estuaries using beach seines targeting mostly Pseudotolithus senegalensis. Sampling covered all gear and areas based on availability of fish during field trips.
INTRODUCTION
The sustainable fisheries management project (SFMP) seeks to contribute to the Government of Ghana’s fisheries development objective and USAID’s feed the Future Initiative goals of improved food security economic growth and poverty alleviation. It aims to end overfishing of key stocks important to local food security through a multi-pronged approach and hopes to achieve this working closely with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Fisheries Commission of Ghana. This project builds on the accomplishments of the USAID/Ghana Integrated Coastal and Fisheries Governance (ICFG) initiative. In this follow-on, the project is focusing efforts on the small pelagic fisheries along the entire coastline as well as demersal fisheries and essential mangrove fish habitat in Western region of Ghana.
Ghana’s fisheries sector contributes significantly towards the nation’s economic development objectives relating to food security, employment, poverty reduction, and GDP and foreign exchange earnings. Fish has always had far-reaching implications for food security in Ghana (DOF, 2004). Fish supplies enhances food availability, ensuring good nutritional outcomes particularly of the poor and rural populations and the vast number of people engaged in fishing industry earns incomes that improves upon their access to food and livelihoods of fishing communities.
Ghana has the fifth largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in West Africa (218,100km2) and a continental shelf area of 24,300km2; this varies in width from 20km of Cape Saint Paul
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(in the East, Volta Region) to about 90 km between Cape Coast in the Central Region and Takoradi in the Western Region (Marine Fisheries Research Division). The Western region is charactized with more productive water bodies such as the Ankobra, Pra, Whin, Nyan etc. which has high influx of nutrients making the waters more productive. The Region is also noted for vigorous fisheries activities due to the expansion of the continental shelf and is concentrated with fishing fleets. The region is the most productive region among the four coastal regions in Ghana and it contributes about 36 percent of the total annual catch of the country (Fisheries Commission, Western Region).
The Ghanaian fishery is characterized by high percentage of pelagic species hence more attention has been dedicated to assessing these stocks relative to demersal fish species which contribute to about 20% of the country’s fish landings (Ayivi, 2012). Even though demersal stocks contribute less in terms of landings, they are more valued economically and they play major role in terms of economic contributions to the fishery sector. These high valued demersal species exploited in Ghana appear to be unsatisfactorily assessed. Overall fishing pressure over the decades and the fluctuating catch rate of the fisheries resources could lead to possible overexploitation of these demersal resources- the need to regularly assess the stocks (Ayivi, 2012).
It is against this background that a research conducted by UCC in partnership with the SFMP, through cooperative research with fishermen and women processors is being undertaking. The research focuses on the Western region of Ghana and its demersal fishery, concentrating on Brachydeuterus auritus, Pseudotolithus senegalensis, Galeoides decadactylus and
Pagellus belottii due to their high economic value and abundance. The research is to establish a baseline assessment of the demersal resources in relation to it socioeconomic importance. This research involves the compilation of secondary data such as the vessel registration data, landings and others from the MOFAD, FC, FPDF and special projects. The result this
research will be presented to fisheries managers of the Fisheries Commission in other to guide them with management decisions related to fisheries.
METHODOLOGY
2.1- SurveysThe study involves monthly data collection which begun with a scooping survey on the 21st -22nd March, 2015. The trip aimed at initiating a pilot project on cooperative research, which involves the participation of stakeholders in the research and data collections projects. This participatory approach included stakeholders of the fisheries from Anlo Beach, Ankobra and Sekondi, to learn and actively assist with this research. A follow up trip was made on 21st to 24th April, 2015 to identify various landing sites and select demersal species, important to the fisheries. A database with contact information of fishermen and fish processors involved in this research was developed.
Major landing sites as well as areas noted for intense beach seine activities within the Pra and Ankobra stretch were selected. These include Anlo Beach, Sekondi, Axim, Ankobra,
Bobrama, Asanta, Essiama and Eikwe. Four demersal species of commercial importance (Brachydeuterus auritus, Galeoides decadactylus,Pentanemus quinqarius and
Pseudotolithus senegalensis) were initially selected as key indicators of the demersal fish stocks in the region. The species selection was based on high occurrence in the region from the Fisheries Commission landings database. This was validated through a series of meetings with stakeholders in the Pra and Ankobra. However, after four months of biological data collection, it became clear that the Pentanemus quinqarius catches were very low, composed mainly with juveniles, were replaced with Pagellus bellottii.
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Figure 1 Stakeholders and fisher folks meeting to identify the major demersal species and to use their knowledge to map fishing areas and spawning grounds.
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2.2 Species Selected
Pseudotolithus senegalensis
Figure 2 Cassava Fish
Brachydeuterus auritus
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Galeoides decadactylus
Figure 4 Threadfin
Pagellus bellottii
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2.3 Biological Data Collection
The study involves both field work and laboratory work. However, laboratory work, which comprises mainly aging of the species, has not yet started because of unavailability of aging equipment.
Field work on the other hand begun in May (19th to 23rd) where specimens were collected from the commercial landings of fishermen. Identification and sorting of species were done using identification manual. Parameters such as total length, fork length and standard length were measured to the nearest 1cm using fish measuring board. Body weight of specimens was taken using a spring balance and an electronic balance.
Thirty specimens of each species are randomly selected from samples for aging and reproductive analysis. Gonads of the thirty specimens were removed and their sex and reproductive maturity determined using a macroscopic staging system. Otoliths and scales were also removed from the specimens for growth analysis. Otoliths were washed in 10% alcohol and scales were also washed in ordinary water. Cleaned otoliths and are preserved for aging analysis.
Procedures for biological data collection were repeated in the successive months.
2.4 Training of Fishermen and Fish Processors
The baseline study is a cooperative research which involves some stakeholders, specifically fishermen and fish processors of the fisheries in the Western Region. The purpose is to invite stakeholders to participate in fisheries research which often is the source of management decisions. The fishermen and fish processors trained were selected based on their interest in the subsequent months. Their training begun in June (16th-19th) and they are constantly involved in the data collection procedures. These fishermen and fish processors were taught the purpose of the research and they were trained on how to collect basic fisheries data (total length, fork length, standard length and body weight). They were also trained on sex
determination, and macroscopic inspection of maturity of the species. The intention is to involve them throughout the data collection period and to have a hands-on knowledge on fisheries research procedures. A total of three fishermen and two women processors were retained in the study.
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Figure 7 Fishermen being trained during sampling
3. RESULTS
A preliminary result of what has been done so far is presented in this section. Much could not be said about length-based data because data collected so far is not enough to give any
substantive information about the stocks. Again, analyses of reproduction and age data are yet to be done.
The table below presents the total number of specimens sampled for each species in each month.
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Table 1 Sampling Dates and Species
Sampling Dates Species
Brachydeuterus auritus Galeoides decadactylus Pentanemus quinqarius Pseudotolithus senegalensis Pagellus belottii
Apr-15 84 24 65 52
May-15 83 85 58 91
Jun-15 61 109 19 75
Jul-15 96 124 117 70
Aug-15 114 110 103 86
Sep-15 98 79 42 96 47
Total 536 531 404 470 47
3.1 Total Length-Standard Length Relationship
TL = 1.2556SL + 2.0228
R² = 0.8943
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
0 5 10 15 20 25
T o ta l Le n g th ( T L) /c m Standard Length(SL)/cm
TL = 1.194SL + 0.3616 R² = 0.9553
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
0 5 10 15 20
T o tal L en g th ( T L ) /cm
Standard Length (SL) /cm
Figure 8 Total lenth-Standard length
relationship for B. auritus Figure 9 Total length-Standard length relationship for P. quinquarius
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Figure 10 Total length-Standard length relationship for Pseudotolithus senegalensis
Figure 11 Total length-Standard length relationship for Galeoidis decadactylus
Generally all the length-length relationship was linear with strong positive correlations suggesting that the total length, fork length and standard length increase simultaneously. The total length and standard length of all the species examined positively correlated with very high correlation coefficients. This implies total length increases with increasing
standard length. The relationship between the total length and standard length of each species is presented on the respective graphs.
TL= 1.1475SL + 2.0323 R² = 0.9629
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
T o tal L en g th (T L ) /cm
Standard Length (SL) /cm
TL = 1.3219SL - 0.1136 R² = 0.9872
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
0 10 20 30 40
T o tal L en g th (T L )/cm
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3.2 Fork Length-Standard Length Relationships
Figure 12 Fork length-Standard length relationship for Pentanemus quinquarius
Figure 13 Fork length-Standard length relationship galeoides decdactylus
Fork length and standard length relationship also showed positive correlation with high
correlation coefficient, 0.9 for Pentanemus quinquarius and 0.99 for Galeoides decadactylus. FL = 1.0677SL + 0.4316
R² = 0.9503
0 5 10 15 20 25
0 5 10 15 20
F
o
rk
L
e
n
g
th
(F
L)
/
cm
Standard Length (SL) /cm
FL= 1.0898SL + 0.4005 R² = 0.9912
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
0 10 20 30 40
F
o
rk
L
e
n
g
th
(F
L)
/
cm
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3.3 Fork Length-Total Length Relationships
Figure 14 Fork length-Total length relationship for Pentanemus quinquarius
Figure 15 Fork length-Total length relationship for Galeoides decdactylus
Galeoides decadactylus and Pentanemus quinquarius were the only two species observed to have fork length. Again, the fork length-total length relationship was linear with very high correlation coefficients (0.8826 for Galeoides decadactylus and 0.998 for Pentanemus quinquarius).
TL = 1.1732FL + 1.5424 R² = 0.8991
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
0 5 10 15 20 25
T
o
tal
L
en
g
th
/cm
Fork Length (FL) /cm
TL= 1.0871FL + 0.418 R² = 0.9885
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
0 10 20 30 40
T
o
ta
l
Le
n
g
th
(
T
L)
/
cm
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3.4 Length-Weight Relationship
Figure 16 Length-Weight Relationship for Galeoides Decadactylus
Figure 17 Length-Weight relationship for Pseudotolithus senegalensis W = 0.0096L3.0296
R² = 0.9766
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900
0 20 40 60
W
e
ig
h
t
(W
)
/g
Total Length (L) /cm
W = 0.005L3.1406
R² = 0.9656
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
W
eig
h
t(
W
)/g
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Figure 18 Length-Weight relationship for Pentanemus quinquarius
Figure 19 Length-Weight relationship for Brachydeuterus auritus
The body weight of all species analyzed positively correlated with length. The exponent values of the length- weight relationship did not deviate from the normal isometric value (3.0) except in the case of Pentanemus quinquarius which showed a b- value of 3.5. This implies all species show isometric growth. Thus the length and weight increase
proportionally. However, Pentanemus quinquarius showed a positive allometric growth which suggests that the length and body weight of the species grow exponentially.
W = 0.0011L3.7620
R² = 0.8745
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
0 10 20 30
B
o
d
y
W
eig
h
t(
W
)
(g
)
Total length (L) (cm)
y = 0.0126x3.0376
R² = 0.9152
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
0 5 10 15 20 25
W
e
ig
h
t
(W
)/
g
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3.5 Frequency Distribution Graph for Species by Gear
Generally, samples from beach seine landings mainly consisted of smaller sizes of
individuals which are typically caught by beach seine operations. The range of total length of the species varied by gear type as a reflection of selectivity. Total length ranged from 10 cm to 26 cm for Pentanemus quinquarius for beach seine fisheries. Those of Brachydeuterus auritus ranged from 10 cm to 26 cm (beach seine landings). Total length of Galeoides decadactylus from beach seine landings ranged from 6 cm to 37 cm and those from trawl fisheries ranged from 15 cm to 43 cm. For Pseudotolithus senegalensis a range 9 cm to 27 cm were observed for beach seine landings and 10 cm to 61 cm for trawl fisheries. The common size occurring in the sample for the species for the six month period range from 14-19 cm for
Pentanemus quinqarius, 12 -18 cm for B. auritus, 26-30 cm for Galeoides decadactylus and 30-40 cm for Pseudotolithus senegalensis.
For each species, the smallest individual was observed in beach seine samples. Trawl fisheries on the other hand contained bigger specimens and often mixed with juveniles. Samples of Pentanemus. quinquarius consist mainly of smaller sizes with only a few individuals which appeared to be matured.
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40 30 20 10 40 30 20 10 40 30 20 10 40 30 20 10 40 30 20 10 44 42 41 40 39 38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 40 30 20 10 April F r e q u e n c y M ay June July Aug Sept
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May
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June_1
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Aug_1
Sept
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30 20 10
30 20 10
30 20 10
30 20 10
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60 58 56 54 52 50 48 46 44 42 40 38 36 34 32 30 28 26 24 22 20
30 20 10
April
F
r
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May
June
July
Aug
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15 10 5
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June_1
F
r
e
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u
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n
c
y
July_1
sept_1
Figure 24 Length-frequency distribution of Pseudotolithus senegalensis (beach seine fishery)
3.6 Otoliths and Scales
A total of 20 otoliths and 20 scales were removed from each species for growth studies per month. In all 120 scales and 120 otoliths are preserved for each species (overall total of 720 scales and 720 otoliths) with respect to growth studies for the six months period. No scales have been preserved for specimens of P. quinquarius because all individuals encountered had not developed scales.
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4. COOPERATIVE RESEARCH
Fishermen and fish processors have been very cooperative and always eager to learn. So far they are able to effectively collect length-based data and information regarding weight (body weight and gonad weight). They can also adequately determine the sex of the species.
However, macroscopic staging of the gonads remains a little difficult, nonetheless they are gradually picking up and with time they may be good at collecting such information. A total of 12 fishermen were trained and are engaged with the project to identify samples, help with data measurements and record information. Initially fishermen were hesitant to help us and engage in this research. They always demand compensation for their work. We
convened several informational meetings about the project through the chief fisherman and with the assistance of the Senior of Fisheries Advisor. By the 3rd month, we managed to establish a group of fishermen and women processors who were leaders within the
community. They understood the value of the research and their engagement in the overall fisheries management.
We recommend holding a stakeholders workshop for 2 days in Takoradi to recruit more fishermen and women processors in this type of collaborative research.
So far focus has been dedicated to the collection of information related to assessment of demersal stocks. There are seven months (October 2015 – May, 2016) of data collection yet to be done. During this period focus will be on collecting information regarding the social, economic and cultural related issues of the fisheries resources. Biological data collection will continue throughout the remaining time of data collection. Periodic analysis of collected data will be done where possible to observe patterns in biological variables.
The next quarter will involve gear inventory regarding the fisheries and social surveys
wherein information related to economic significance, demographic and geographic aspect of the fisheries will be collected. During the twelve month period, management issues regarding the fisheries will also be ascertained.
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M ay
June
July
Aug
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15 10 5
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June_1
F
r
e
q
u
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n
c
y
July_1
sept_1
Figure 24 Length-frequency distribution of Pseudotolithus senegalensis (beach seine fishery)
3.6 Otoliths and Scales
A total of 20 otoliths and 20 scales were removed from each species for growth studies per month. In all 120 scales and 120 otoliths are preserved for each species (overall total of 720 scales and 720 otoliths) with respect to growth studies for the six months period. No scales have been preserved for specimens of P. quinquarius because all individuals encountered had not developed scales.
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20
4. COOPERATIVE RESEARCH
Fishermen and fish processors have been very cooperative and always eager to learn. So far they are able to effectively collect length-based data and information regarding weight (body weight and gonad weight). They can also adequately determine the sex of the species.
However, macroscopic staging of the gonads remains a little difficult, nonetheless they are gradually picking up and with time they may be good at collecting such information. A total of 12 fishermen were trained and are engaged with the project to identify samples, help with data measurements and record information. Initially fishermen were hesitant to help us and engage in this research. They always demand compensation for their work. We
convened several informational meetings about the project through the chief fisherman and with the assistance of the Senior of Fisheries Advisor. By the 3rd month, we managed to establish a group of fishermen and women processors who were leaders within the
community. They understood the value of the research and their engagement in the overall fisheries management.
We recommend holding a stakeholders workshop for 2 days in Takoradi to recruit more fishermen and women processors in this type of collaborative research.
So far focus has been dedicated to the collection of information related to assessment of demersal stocks. There are seven months (October 2015 – May, 2016) of data collection yet to be done. During this period focus will be on collecting information regarding the social, economic and cultural related issues of the fisheries resources. Biological data collection will continue throughout the remaining time of data collection. Periodic analysis of collected data will be done where possible to observe patterns in biological variables.
The next quarter will involve gear inventory regarding the fisheries and social surveys
wherein information related to economic significance, demographic and geographic aspect of the fisheries will be collected. During the twelve month period, management issues regarding the fisheries will also be ascertained.